@Gene D StephensAdverse possession laws vary by state. 

I also enclose below the text of the relevant section for ease.https://www.flsenate.gov/laws/statutes/2020/553.79QUOTE(14) A building permit for a single-family residential dwelling must be issued within 30 working days of application therefor unless unusual circumstances require a longer time for processing the application or unless the permit application fails to satisfy the Florida Building Code or the enforcing agency’s laws or ordinances.UNQUOTEThe previous link to the City of Cape Coral citizens portal lets individuals see permit details for a specific property address, the progress with applications, and if not using a private provider the status of inspections.  

I am an attorney in New York and New Jersey and for the past 15 years worked my way up and became an owner/partner in a multi-state law firm.

My daughter and son-in-law have settled down in Abilene.

Are there any rules, laws, or regulations regarding this?

classic scam.to the OP  google Ingrid Robinson /  American greed   / Remington financial she took those guys down and its worth watching how they work.. the foreigners are on to it.. so anything with even slightly bad English is a huge red flag and 100% fraud.this guy looks more Russian than Kiwi to me.. 

I would believe so, but it is always good to check the local laws.

This is due to the extremely annoying TX 50a6 home equity laws.

@Chase PomerantzWhen starting with rental property investing, focus on understanding the local market, laws, and setting clear investment goals.

Keep abreast of the latest fraud techniques and adjust your criteria accordingly.Educate Your Team: Ensure that everyone involved in the leasing process understands the signs of application fraud and knows how to react when they suspect fraudulent activity.Legal ConsiderationsWhile it's important to be vigilant against fraud, it's equally crucial to conduct all screenings within the bounds of the law.